Window locking device



Jah. 14,` 1947. R, KRASBER'G I 2.414,153

l WINDOW LOCKING DEVICE Filed March 1, v194,4

INVENTOR. M/wlj d h .Mv

Patented Jan. 14, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I Claims.

The present invention relates to window locking devices and more particularly to a Window locking device which will permit a window to be opened a short distance in order to provide ventilation and yet prevent the window from being opened a greater distance by a thief or prowler.

It has been recognized heretofore that itis desirable to provide a window locking device which will permit a window to be opened a certain distance in order to provide ventilation and yet prevent the window from being opened a greater dis,- tance so as to admit a thief or prowler. Numerous devices to accomplish this have been devised, but generally they have been susceptible to being readily unlocked by the insertion of a stick, rod or wire which can move the locking device to unlocking position. In accordance with the present invention this objectionable feature of many of the prior art devices is overcome by providing a window locking device which when in the locking position cannot be moved to the unlocking position as long as the window sashes are displaced relative to their normal closed position by as little as a fraction of an inch. Since the device cannot be restored to unlocking position with the window partially opened, even if the window is not opened as far as the maximum limit permitted by the locking device, the customary tactics of prowlers familiar with the other devices will be of no avail. In accordance with the present invention a simple device comprising a base and hinged part support is provided for attachment on the inside of the upper sash adjacent the lower portion thereof. A portion of the device is arranged in its position to be engaged by the lower sash and to limit the relative movement between the upper and lower sash to such an amount as to prevent entrance of an individual through the window without breaking or removing the window pane.

It therefore is an object of the present invention to provide an improved window locking device which is relatively simple to manufacture and use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved window locking device which cannot be unlocked as long as the upper and lower sashes of a window are displaced relative to each other from their normal closed position.

Other and further objects of the present invention subsequently will become apparent by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 shows the application of the present invention to a window with the device embodying the present invention in its lower locking position;

Figure 2 shows the device in its upper locking position with the lower` sash indicated by dotted lines;

2 Figure 3 shows the device in its unlocked position;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view along the line 4-4 in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view along the line 5-5 in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detailed view of a portion of the device.

Referring more particularly to Figure 1 there is shown a window frame I0 having an upper sash I2 and a lower sash I4. The window represented by the frame Ill and the sashes I2 and I4 indicates the more conventional window structure where the lower sash I4 is movable and the upper sash I2 may be movable or fixed. In such structures the upper sash moves between vertical guide strips I6 and I8 and the lower sash moves between the guiding strip I8 and amolding strip not shown. As is customary the lower portion of the upper sash I2 and the upper portion of the lower sash I4 when the sashes are in closed position abut each other at an inclined joint 20. The upper edge 22 of the joint 2Ilis spaced 'back a slight distance from the upright member 24 forming a portion of the sash I2 so that suicient space is provided for the attachment of a locking device 26.

The locking device 2B comprises a base 28 which is attached to the member 24 by a plurality of screws 30. At one end of the base 28 there is hingedly supported a locking member 32 formed of a heavy wire or rod in a generally rectangular shape with a forwardly extending curved portion 34. One side of the rod 32 is arranged for slidable movement in the hinged portion 36 which is formed at the one side of the base 28. The rectangular wire or rod framerformed of the rod 32 has a width at its upper portion slightly greater than the width of the base 28 and has a width at its lower portion slightly less than the width of the base 28 together with that portion thereof which is bent upwardly to form an angle member 38 having one face parallel to the base 28 and extending outwardly away from the base. The locking member 32 is shown in its lower locking position in Figure 1 wherein the locking member is retained as soon as the upper edge 22 of the joint 20 of the sash I4 moves above the lowermost extremity of the locking member 32.

The locking member 32 will remain in the position shown in Figure- 1 until the upper edge of the lower sash I4 engages the forwardly projecting curve portion 34 of the locking member, and thereupon further movement of the lower sash will cause the locking member 32 to slide in the hinged portion 36 so that the narrower lower portion of the locking member 32 will be moved into engagement with the angular portion 38 of the base 28. If subsequently the window sash I4 is restored to its original position the locking member 32 will remain in the position shown in Figure 2. This is du-e to a frictional engagement of the retaining member 4i] provided with an intermediate portion of the hinged joint 36. The portion IO is a part of the base 28 and is bent inwardly so as to engage Withga certain degree of friction the slidable rod 32.

From Figure 4 it will be seen that when the device is in its lower locking position, the rod 32 at the right hand portion thereof clears the base 28 together with the angular portion 38. When the device is in the position shown in Figure 2, the right hand portion of the rod 32 is in engagement with the angular portion 38 of the base 28 as may be seen from Figure 5.

If it is desired to open the window a greater distance than that provided for when the device is in its locking position, the rod 32 may be moved downwardly to the lower locking position and then hingedly moved to the position shown in Figure 3 whereupon the upper portion 34 will no longer be in the path of the upper portion of the sash I4 and hence either sash may be `mcved its maximum distance. Thus in order to open4 the window wide the device 26 oiers no obstruction thus offering no limitation for the degree of ventilation which may be obtained, nor does it obstruct the ready cleaning of the window panes,

While for the purpose of describing the operation of the device, it has been convenient to refer to the movement of the lower sash I4 as being up and down, it is to be understood that this is a relative matter since obviously the device will operate in a similar manner if the upper sash I2 is moved up and down. It further is to be understood that while the device 26 has been shown as comprising a base which supports in hinged and slidable relation al locking `member 32 shown as being formed of a wire or rod, that this member might be made of other material or may have another configuration. It furthermore will be appreciated that the same effect may be obtained withrespect to the relation of the angular portion 38 and the right hand portion of the rod 32 by providing other means which perform the same function. It therefore will be appreciated that in order to simplify the illustration and description of the present invention a particular embodiment has been shown, but that the invention is not to be limited thereto since obviously such variations may be made therein as are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the in-` vention as defined in the appended claims.

The present invention is hereby claimed as follows 1. AV windowl locking device comprising a substantially square` sheet metal base adapted to be secured to the inside of an upper window sash adjacent the lower portion thereof, having a generally rectangular locking member hingedly secured to said base adjacent one edge so as to permitl limited longitudinal movement with respect thereto, the opposite edge of said base being` formed to extend above the body of said base for selective engagement, with said locking member, said,.locking member being formed of a single piece of wire rod and having a lower locking position so arranged that slight displacement of the upper and lower window sashes relative to each othershifts said locking member to engage the opposite edge of said base to vprevent hinged movementl of said locking member from locking position, saidV locking. member-having` a forwardly 4 Y extending portion adapted to be engaged by the lower window sash and to be moved thereby to an upper locking position to limit relative movement between said sashes.

2. A window locking device comprising a base adaptedv to be secured to the upper window sash adjacent the lower sash, a generally rectangular wire locking member hingedly secured to Said base so as to permit limited longitudinal movement with respectl thereto, said wire locking member having adjacent one end a forwardly extending portion adapted to be engaged by the lower window sash when one sash is moved relative to the other sash, and means forming a raised edge portion of said base extending upwardlyand outwardly for engaging said locking member to prevent hinged movement of said locking member when said member is moved longitudinally upward.

3. A window locking device comprising a relatively small base adapted to be attached to the inside surface of the upper sash of a window adjacent the lower portion thereof, and a generally rectangular locking member hingedly and slidably secured to said base at one side thereof, said locking member being much longer than said base and being formed of wire rod having a Vforwardly extending portion arranged for engagement by the lower sash whenone sash is moved relative to the other, said locking, member having at the side opposite from said hinged side a portion arranged to extend inwardly in a transverse manner for locking engagement with said base when said locking member is in its upper locking position.`

4. A window locking device comprising a base adapted to be attached to the inside surface of the upper sash of a window adjacent the lower portion thereof, a locking member hingedly and slidably secured to said base, said locking member having a locking position and an unlocked position, said locking member having a forwardly extending portion when in locking position arranged for engagement by the lower sash when one sash is moved relative to the other, said locking` member'having a portion arranged for locking engagement with said base when said locking member is in its upper locking position, and frictional means for restraining a hinged movement of said locked member.

5. A window locking device comprising a base having a side edge bent up to form an angle portion having one surface parallel to said base, said base being adapted to be attached to the inside surface of the upper sash of a window adjacent the lower portion thereof to position said window locking device between said sashes when said sashes are displaced relative to each other, e, locking member formed of a single piece of metal rod having a generally rectangular configuration with an upper portion wider than saidV base and a lower portion narrower than said base, said locking member being hingedly and slidably secured at oney side of said base, said locking member having a locking position and an unlocked position, said locking. member when in locking position having a forwardly extending portion arranged for engagement by the lower sash when one sash s moved relative to the other, said narrower portion of said locking mem-f ber` being arranged for locking engagement with said angle portion of said base when said locking member is in its` upper locking position.

RUDOLF KRASBERG'. 

